Zoo Update with Denise Verret

In the coming months, the Los Angeles Zoo will be rolling out its first-ever Conservation Strategic Plan, and I have to tell you, this plan not only exemplifies everything the Zoo stands for and strives to be, but also incorporates the entire Zoo community in our work to save animals from extinction and preserve all we hold dear on our planet. Great plans are developed through collaboration and require the contributions of diverse perspectives. This type of synergy excites me and feeds my soul—and I hope you feel the same because you will have a voice in the Zoo’s conservation efforts moving forward.

The L.A. Zoo prides itself in fostering an inclusive environment that is welcoming to all, and this new conservation plan is rooted in this principle. The Zoo will assign everyone roles as stewards of nature and wildlife in our community, its ecosystem, and the planet. Together we will evolve and grow as we continue to learn from each other.

Historically, the world of science and conservation has not been the most receptive to those from different backgrounds or cultures, and this lack of diversity has stalled important progress. Missing from these fields are the voices of women, people of color, and minorities from varying socioeconomic classes. Conserving the biodiversity of our planet relies on the diversity of humans who inhabit it, so broadening that scope of expertise will move our strategic plan forward.

When the Zoo shares its Strategic Conservation Plan with the world, you will have the opportunity to join us as we move forward. Together, we will become ambassadors for our planet and create a better tomorrow for all species through actions we take in our own backyards and by promoting groundbreaking fieldwork abroad.

Whether you support our mission through membership, philanthropy, volunteer work, or by sharing your experiences here with friends and family, you have a role to play in the implementation of this strategic plan and in the larger mission of conserving our planet. It will take voices from all backgrounds for true conservation success to happen. I look forward to embarking on this journey together with you.

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” —Warren Buffett